Named in honour
of the Surrey International Writers' Conference founder, Ed Griffin,
it was first awarded in 2003.

We are delighted
this honour will be included among the well-deserved awards for
your focused work on behalf of writers, encouraging the global safety
and independence of women travellers, and the ground-breaking website
www.journeywoman.com.

With congratulations
and very best wishes with your future works,
kcdyer, Conference Coordinator
On behalf of the Surrey International Writers' Conference Board

In 2009, Marilyn
Bicher nominated Evelyn Hannon for The 2009 Griffin Award, an award
that recognizes contributions to Canadian society through the craft
of writing in the category of: writing that furthers the consciousness
of women.

In her nomination
letter Ms. Bicher wrote: 'I teach sociology and I am a member of
the Women's Studies Program at Vanier College in Montreal. I've
known Evelyn Hannon since we both attended teacher's college 50
years ago. I've watched her grow from a dependent traditional female
to an independent woman of vision mentoring other women through
her actions and writing. In March 2007, Evelyn was the keynote speaker
for our Annual Vanier College International Women's Day Breakfast.
Approximately 100 people -- professors, professionals, staff and
students attended the breakfast. On that morning I was present as
Evelyn received a standing ovation; clearly the women were inspired
by her journey and her vision.'

Why I believe Ms. Hannon
should receive this award...

Through
her writing, Evelyn Hannon has changed the way women in Canada and
around the world travel. In the Eighties, a woman generally went
from living in her father's home to living in her husband's home.
Similarly, a woman graduated from vacationing with her family to
travelling with her new husband. The media at that time mirrored
this aspect of our society and all travel writing addressed the
complete family unit. Travel advice was never gender specific until
Hannon (aka Journeywoman) began in 1994 to look at travel writing
from a female's point-of-view.

After divorcing in
the Eighties, Evelyn began to travel solo. She learned then that
a travelling woman's needs and concerns were very different from
a man's. Yet, Hannon could find no travel mentors. There weren't
books written on the subject so Evelyn learned the hard way; her
knowledge base grew from going and doing.

From 1985-90 Evelyn
studied abroad for a part of each year. Then, she won a CIDA grant
and spent time in China looking at ways women practiced Traditional
Chinese Medicine. As the production coordinator of an NFB documentary
Hannon also worked in the Middle East. Later she coordinated the
first Canadian Woman's Film Festival in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and
Haifa. Everywhere she went Evelyn learned ways to fight loneliness,
to be culturally correct, how to deal with safety issues, which
restaurants welcomed single women and how to act and react in the
world of business. Local women became her mentors; Hannon continuously
made notes about what she was learning and thinking.

In 1994, Evelyn
began publishing a 24-page mini magazine designed to inspire other
women to travel safely and well and to connect women travellers
internationally. In 1997, Journeywoman.com went online. It is now
the largest travel resource for women on the internet with over
one million visitors annually. Evelyn's monthly Journeywoman newsletter
reaches 63,000 female readers in 100 countries. Readers comments
can be found here: http://www.journeywoman.com/letterstoed/letter10.htm
(present readership 67,600+)

Foreign Affairs
Canada chose Evelyn to write their 24-page guide called, 'Her Own
Way, A Woman's Guide to Safe and Successful Travel.' This award-winning
publication, first of its kind in the consular world is available
free to women in passport offices across the country.

In 2000 TIME Magazine
named Hannon one of the '100 innovative thinkers of this new century'
for the writing she has done on behalf of women and travel.

In 2006 Evelyn Hannon
won a position on the Toronto Star Community Editorial Board. Her
writing touched both on women's issues and her love of different
cultures.

Recently Evelyn
circumnavigated the globe with 'Semester
at Sea'. On board ship, she taught mini classes on travel journaling
and she inspired and mentored female journalism students. Anna Hamilton,
a student mentored by Hannon wrote, 'she opened my eyes to the importance
of curiosity, courage, compassion, independence, and self respect'.

In September 2008,
Evelyn is the cover story for C.A.R.P.
Magazine. Journalist Marcia Kaye writes, Hannon has 'helped
to revolutionize travel for women around the world ... she's inspired
countless women to travel - and helped make it safer, too'.

For samples of Evelyn
Hannon's writing, please read the following articles online: